Beer: DRF Bets 'Hit It or Split It' Breeders' Cup analysis

From a gambling perspective, the two-day Breeders’ Cup extravaganza, which offers 13 races for top horses in all divisions, is always among the best times of the year to look for prices and to try to make scores.

The new DRF Bets Breeders’ Cup win bet “Hit It or Split It” $7,500 challenge won’t require you to look for value. What it does require is that you cash at least five win bets over the 13 races to become eligible for the prize.

With that in mind, let’s look for five horses to consider using in order to qualify.

The first Breeders’ Cup race on Friday is the Juvenile Turf. Oscar Performance (#13) has been very impressive in posting back-to-back wins on the way here from New York. Post 13 adds a layer of difficulty to the task at hand, but he may simply be the best horse.

On Saturday, A. P. Indian (#5) will be looking to cap an undefeated 7-for-7 season in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. His newfound tactical speed figures to serve him well in what has turned out to be a short field, and he caught a bit of a break with the early scratch of major contender Lord Nelson.

In the Filly and Mare Sprint, Irish Jasper (#11) has won both of her main-track sprints this year for trainer Chad Brown and may be in the right place at the right time in a field that lacks a standout.

Ironicus (#9) finally gets his chance at the Breeders’ Cup Mile after missing the race due to injury last year. He prepped for the race well at Keeneland last month, and he may prove difficult to hold off in the stretch.

The Classic is the main event, and California Chrome (#4) has to be considered the most likely winner of the race. He enters in the best form of his career, seems very likely to be controlling the action early, and appears to be vulnerable only to another otherworldly performance from the 3-year-old Arrogate.

:: Win part of a $2,500 or $5,000 pool on Friday and Saturday with the DRF Bets Breeders’ Cup win bet “Hit it or Split it” $7,500 Challenge. Players who cash on five $10 minimum win bets are eligible. Find out the details at www.drf.com/promos.